Spring loaded contact for rotary interface

Abstract

An electrical contact member for use with a rotary interface within a connector assembly is provided. The electrical contact member includes a lower portion adapted to receive an electrical wire; and a laterally deflectable upper portion connected to or formed integrally with the lower portion. The upper portion further includes a first lateral extension arm having a first contact point formed at the tip thereof and a second lateral extension arm having a second contact point formed at the tip thereof.

1 . An electrical contact system for a rotary interface within a connector assembly, comprising:
 (a) a first connector assembly housing, wherein the first housing further includes first electrically conductive ring mounted therein and a second electrically conductive ring disposed within the first contact ring;   (b) a second connector assembly housing connectable to the first housing, wherein the second housing is adapted to receive at least two electrical contact members;   (c) a first substantially Y-shaped electrical contact member mounted within the second housing, wherein the first contact member includes a lower portion connected to or formed integrally with an upper portion, wherein the upper portion includes at least two contact points, and wherein each of the contact points makes physical and electrical contact with a portion of the first electrically conductive ring when the housing portions are connected to one another; and   (d) a second substantially Y-shaped electrical contact member mounted within the second housing, wherein the second contact member includes a lower portion connected to or formed integrally an upper portion, wherein the upper portion includes at least two contact points, and wherein each of the contact points makes physical and electrical contact with a portion of the second electrically conductive ring when the first and second housings are connected to one another.   
   
   
       2 . The electrical contact system of  claim 1 , further comprising a length of electrically conductive wire terminated to each of the electrically conductive rings. 
   
   
       3 . The electrical contact system of  claim 1 , further comprising a length of electrically conductive wire terminated to the lower portion of each of the substantially Y-shaped contact members. 
   
   
       4 . The electrical contact system of  claim 1 , wherein the first connector assembly housing and second connector assembly housing rotate axially relative to one another. 
   
   
       5 . The electrical contact system of  claim 1 , wherein the upper portion of each substantially Y-shaped contact member is offset from and substantially perpendicular to the lower portion thereof. 
   
   
       6 . The electrical contact system of  claim 1 , wherein the top portion of each substantially Y-shaped electrical contact member is at least partially deflectable in circular path. 
   
   
       7 . An electrical contact member for use with a rotary interface within a connector assembly, comprising:
 (a) a lower portion; and   (b) an upper portion connected to or formed integrally with the lower portion, wherein the upper portion further includes:
 (i) a first lateral extension arm having a first contact point formed at the tip thereof; and 
 (ii) a second lateral extension arm having a second contact point formed at the tip thereof. 
   
   
   
       8 . The electrical contact member of  claim 7 , wherein the contact member is substantially Y-shaped, and wherein the first extension arm extends away from the lower portion of the contact member in a direction opposite that of the second extension arm. 
   
   
       9 . The electrical contact member of  claim 7 , wherein the first and second extension arms are laterally deflectable. 
   
   
       10 . The electrical contact member of  claim 7 , wherein the upper portion of each contact member is offset from and substantially perpendicular to the lower portion thereof. 
   
   
       11 . The electrical contact member of  claim 7 , wherein the lower portion of the contact member is adapted to receive the terminal end of an electrical wire. 
   
   
       12 . The electrical contact member of  claim 7 , wherein the upper portion of each electrical contact member is configured in an arc for allowing the contact points to physically contact a ring structure at two separate points. 
   
   
       13 . The electrical contact member of  claim 7 , wherein the electrical contact member is formed from a single piece of electrically conductive material. 
   
   
       14 . A method for making electrical connections at a rotary interface within a connector assembly, comprising:
 (a) providing a first connector assembly housing, wherein the first housing further includes first electrically conductive ring mounted therein and a second electrically conductive disposed within the first contact ring;   (b) providing a second connector assembly housing, wherein the second housing is adapted to be connected to the first housing, and wherein the second housing further includes:
 (i) a first substantially Y-shaped electrical contact member mounted within the second housing, wherein the first contact member includes a lower portion connected to or formed integrally with an upper portion, wherein the upper portion includes at least two contact points, and 
 (ii) a second substantially Y-shaped electrical contact member mounted within the second housing, wherein the second contact member includes a lower portion connected to or formed integrally an upper portion, wherein the upper portion includes at least two contact points; and 
   (c) connecting the second housing to the first housing such that each of the contact points on the first electrical contact makes physical and electrical contact with a portion of the first electrically conductive ring, and each of the contact points on the second electrical contact makes physical and electrical contact with a portion of the second electrically conductive ring.   
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising a length of electrically conductive wire terminated to each of the electrically conductive rings. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising a length of electrically conductive wire terminated to the lower portion of each of the substantially Y-shaped contact members. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the first connector assembly housing and second connector assembly housing rotate axially relative to one another. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the upper portion of each substantially Y-shaped contact member is offset from and substantially perpendicular to the lower portion thereof. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the top portion of each substantially Y-shaped electrical contact member is at least partially deflectable along a circular path. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the upper portion of each electrical contact member is configured in an arc for allowing the contact points to physically contact a ring structure at two separate points.